#VU40746 Path traversal in Moodle - CVE-2015-1493

Vulnerability identifier: #VU40746

Vulnerability risk: Medium

CVSSv4.0: 4.9 [CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:N/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:U/U:Green]

CVE-ID: CVE-2015-1493

CWE-ID: CWE-22

Exploitation vector: Network

Exploit availability: No

Vulnerable software:
Moodle
Web applications / Other software

Vendor: moodle.org

Description

The vulnerability allows a remote user to perform directory traversal attacks.

The vulnerability exists due to input validation error when processing directory traversal sequences in the min_get_slash_argument function in lib/configonlylib.php in Moodle through 2.5.9, 2.6.x before 2.6.8, 2.7.x before 2.7.5, and 2.8.x before 2.8.3. A remote authenticated user can send a specially crafted HTTP request and remote authenticated users to read arbitrary files via a . (dot dot) in the file parameter, as demonstrated by reading PHP scripts.

Mitigation
Install update from vendor's website.

Vulnerable software versions

Moodle: 2.5 - 2.5.8, 2.6 - 2.6.8, 2.7 - 2.7.4, 2.8 - 2.8.2

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External links
https://git.moodle.org/gw?p=moodle.git&a=search&h=HEAD&st=commit&s=MDL-48980
https://git.moodle.org/gw?p=moodle.git;a=commit;h=af9a7937cc085f96bdbc4724cadec6eeae0242fc
https://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/02/04/15
https://openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2015/02/09/2
https://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=279956

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Q & A

Can this vulnerability be exploited remotely?

Yes. This vulnerability can be exploited by a remote authenticated user via the Internet.

Is there known malware, which exploits this vulnerability?

No. We are not aware of malware exploiting this vulnerability.